Gua Sha

at Copenhagen Float

Release tension with Gua Sha Therapy

Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese therapy that uses a smooth-edged tool to gently scrape the skin, helping to improve circulation, release muscle tension, promote lymphatic drainage, and support the body’s natural healing processes.

Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Gua Sha works on both the muscular and energetic systems of the body. It can be applied to the back, neck, shoulders, face, and other areas of tension. Many clients experience improved mobility, reduced discomfort, and a deep sense of relaxation after treatment.

Gua Sha is used to relieve tension, improve circulation, and restore balance throughout the body.

Treatment Format

At Copenhagen Float, Gua Sha is integrated into a 60-minute massage treatment and may be used on the body, face, or both. Up to 30 minutes of the session can be dedicated to Gua Sha, allowing for a tailored treatment that combines manual therapy with the benefits of this traditional technique.

Neck and shoulder tension
Back pain and muscular stiffness
Headaches and migraines
Chronic muscle tightness
Joint pain and reduced mobility
Sports recovery and muscle soreness
Postural tension from desk work
Facial tension and puffiness

Body Gua Sha & massage

Full-body treatment targeting the back, neck, shoulders, and other areas of tension to improve mobility and deep muscle recovery.

◴ 60 min · includes up to 30 min Gua Sha

Facial Gua Sha & massage

A targeted treatment for the face using smooth-edged tools to release facial tension, reduce puffiness, and improve circulation.

◴ 60 min · includes up to 30 min Gua Sha

Anda is trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Canada, completing four years at Oshio College of Acupuncture & Herbology in Victoria, BC. She has clinical experience in Canada, China, and the Czech Republic, working with acupuncture and classical TCM therapies, including Gua Sha.

With a grounded, professional approach, Anda offers tailored Gua Sha treatments that use a smooth-edged tool to release muscle tension, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural healing processes. Her work helps reduce pain, promote recovery, regulate the nervous system, and leave you feeling calm, balanced, and restored.

Anda also offers

Acupuncture

Anda is also trained in acupuncture. Sessions support pain relief, stress reduction, and nervous system regulation, working with the body’s natural energy pathways for lasting balance.

Facial Reflexology

Anda is also trained in facial reflexology. The treatment uses gentle pressure and stimulation of zones and points on the face to promote a sense of calm and balance throughout the body. Facial reflexology can help release tension in the face and jaw, encourage deep relaxation, and support the body’s natural balance and recovery.

KOMBI TREATMENTS

Combine Treatments for Deeper Healing

Start with a float, our speciality, a deeply restorative experience that reduces stress, calms the nervous system, relieves muscular tension, and supports mental clarity. Followed by Gua Sha, this combination enhances circulation, releases deep-seated tension, and supports full-body recovery and balance.

Why not try a Kombi?

Book and create a tailored treatment plan designed for your needs. To arrange a Gua Sha treatment with Anda alongside a floatation session, please write to our customer service team at [email protected], and they will help schedule your appointment.

Gua Sha FAQ

What is Gua Sha?

Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese therapy that involves using a smooth-edged tool to gently scrape the skin in repeated strokes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is used to move stagnant Qi (energy) and blood, helping restore balance within the body. Today, Gua Sha is widely used to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, support recovery, and promote relaxation.

How does Gua Sha work?

The gentle scraping action creates controlled stimulation of the skin and underlying tissues, increasing local blood flow and encouraging lymphatic drainage. This helps release tight muscles, improve mobility, and support the body’s natural healing response. From a TCM perspective, Gua Sha helps remove stagnation and restore the smooth flow of Qi and blood throughout the body.

What can Gua Sha help with?

Gua Sha is commonly used to address neck and shoulder tension, back pain, headaches, migraines, jaw tension, sports recovery, muscle stiffness, poor circulation, and stress-related tension. It can also help reduce facial puffiness, support sinus drainage, and improve overall mobility and wellbeing.

Is Gua Sha painful?

Gua Sha should not be painful, although areas of significant tension may feel tender during treatment. The pressure is always adjusted to your comfort level. Many clients describe the sensation as a deep release of tight muscles rather than pain. Following treatment, people often feel lighter, looser, and more relaxed.

Is Gua Sha suitable for pregnant women?

Facial Gua Sha is suitable for pregnant women and can be a wonderful way to promote relaxation, relieve tension, and support overall wellbeing.

Body Gua Sha, however, is not recommended during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and unsure which treatment is right for you, please feel free to get in touch with us.

Why does Gua Sha sometimes leave red marks?

The temporary red or purple marks sometimes seen after Gua Sha are known as “sha.” These marks are not bruises caused by injury but a normal response to increased circulation in areas of tension or stagnation. The marks are usually painless and typically fade within a few days. Not everyone develops visible marks, and their appearance depends on the individual and the area being treated.

What should I expect during a Gua Sha session?

Your practitioner will assess your areas of tension and treatment goals before applying oil to the skin and using a smooth-edged Gua Sha tool over specific muscles and tissues. Treatment may focus on the neck, shoulders, back, face, or other areas of concern. At Copenhagen Float, Gua Sha is incorporated into a 60-minute massage treatment and may be used on the body, face, or both. Many clients leave feeling more mobile, deeply relaxed, and noticeably less tense.